Where is everyone #5

ShooterK2 · May 3, 2019

blairandgretchen said: ↑

Y'all got way too much time on your hands. I attempted to catch up but time is short.

I stopped on @Zeviander and @HillbillyDeluxeTruck 's posts. I've learned a lot of this game is attitude.

@Zeviander - I clearly remember the days Gretchen and I pulled the plug on ODFL after 7 years. They really couldn't give a rats rear end. I was actually shocked at the "Oh - you're gonna buy a truck and go out on your own - let us know how THAT works out attitude" - from dispatchers and hands we thought were actually respectable work associates.

@HillbillyDeluxeTruck

Let me tell you about my week. Hope it helps you.

First of all - I'll toot my horn and inform y'all this is the SECOND time this month I've had a shipper buy me breakfast. Yup - go and order it, pick it up, deliver it, and shake my hand thanking me the whole time. This to me is victory - no matter the cost.

Monday afternoon, I see my good agent posting a load close by - Adair, OK to Dallas, TX. I sense trouble. I call for the story. Seems a BCO (Landstar) drops off the load after showing his butt at the shipper. Very important new customer. Huge potential. Guy gets antsy, then abusive, then leaves. We figure he wanted out for another load. Let me help I say - Agent is thrilled - I'm one of the agents' best - instructions to buy breakfast and apologize - off I go for Tuesday AM.

Haven't mentioned money yet.

Tuesday morning drive 90 miles. Precalled shipper, turn up. Load. 8 by 4 by 12,16,18" thick Styrofoam. Back in building, they help tarp and strap, all the while (30 year old kids) listening to 50's and 60's music. Couldn't be nicer. They declined breakfast - had to run to Dallas. I apologized for the other BCO's bad behavior and left. I never questioned tarping material that was sitting outdoors.

Run to Dallas. Precall receiver, can park on site. Unload, and knowing dead freight area, head back home after a call to agent that all went well and was on my way back, should they need another truck load.

Wednesday afternoon - I park 10 miles south and repeat availability to agent, and wait almost 3 hours. (I never complained about waiting for communication ) - I back this up with(knowing shipper loader is in Dallas and won't be back till the morning) "I'll load it myself if they want". 6pm - I get the enthusiastic go ahead to do so. Head to shipper.

Get the shipper on the phone. Gate code for padlock, forklift keys, propane, fuse box for building, lights, product to be loaded, check sunset time - and away I go. Product is all outside, and one heck of a mess. Need to sort different sizes and assemble stacks, and load. Tarp and strap alone. 7 odd hours labor.

Still haven't mentioned money.

Thursday 1.30am - I'm loaded, tarped, strapped and ready to go. I then message the agent - happens to be up - Facetime video the other 2 buildings/units requiring shipping with measurements and discuss - 2 am I'm done.

At this stage - I put on @Ruthless shirt - "Pride through Professionalism" after a shower (drenched in sweat from humidity) and smile.

Thursday 9am - shipper calls, he's heard the news, OFFERS TO BUY ME BREAKFAST. I accept.

Drive it to Dallas - receiver hears news, stays late, unloads me, and I head out of town. Parked in OK now, thoroughly exhausted.

OK - @HillbillyDeluxeTruck - Money. All said and done - $3,100 to the truck on 600 loaded miles, 1400 miles total from home back to home, 3 and a half days. $2.21/mile all miles Pretty average to say the least, and not something I'd pack up and head out for. But this is a moot point. Why?

I got spoiled on the rates last year, and particularly with this agent. Especially the oversize loads. Will I sit at home and sneeze at her legal loads? Not bother to call if I think there's help to offer? Ask for more money for loading? Complain the receiver went home at 2pm the first day? Cry about the rates in an area I chose to go to? No.

I'm looking at a bigger picture. It may never happen - we all know how fickle this game is. But I refuse to cheer with the crowd that boos the shippers and agents and brokers, that they're stealing our money, keeping it in their pockets - when times get tough - like they are now.

But the potential is huge. This one relationship can open multiple doors, and already has. I've learned just how cut throat this industry can be, and refuse to succumb to greed. This one customer alone is potentially a 60 million dollar contract over a short period.

Allegiance began with doing a good job, and helping other drivers do theirs.
Respect began with returning the agent's regular van drivers' truck to his widow after he shot himself in the sleeper in Indiana.
Admiration comes with rescuing broken relationships on the agents behalf.

I'm pretty sure that whatever comes available, I'll get the first call if I have capacity to haul it. And that's where you want to be. When someone calls you - because you absolutely deliver.

Bottom line - and back to the beginning. I've learned a lot of this game is attitude.

Not bashing you @HillbillyDeluxeTruck - just trying to help. And anybody else that hasn't figured things this way too.

Apologies for the long post and lack of dinner pics.
Click to expand...

Inspiration. Thanks for posting this, Blair.

BigBob410 · May 3, 2019

@Tall Mike did they get your ride cooled down??

stwik · May 3, 2019

Don’t cha just love when you get to a place that you were told is a-okay for overnight parking and then there’s a bunch of signs saying “no delivery truck overnight parking”... I’m about halfway up #### creek.

Let’s hope I don’t get a friendly knock on my door by the laws finest

OLDSKOOLERnWV · May 3, 2019

In the Keystone waiting to get empty.....

OLDSKOOLERnWV · May 3, 2019

Welcome to page #7000.... dang lol

peterbilt_2005 · May 3, 2019

Almost post 70000

OLDSKOOLERnWV · May 3, 2019

Drivers say trucking company has closed leaving them without a job

BigCam9670 · May 3, 2019

Excellent post @blairandgretchen my advice to folks is to become the problem solver for your customers/agents/boss. A cool head and thinking outside the box goes a long way when things turn ugly and often turns you into the "go-to-guy" when you make it happen. I believe most every guy in here is that guy in their niche.

cke · May 3, 2019

OLDSKOOLERnWV said: ↑

View attachment 279165 View attachment 279166 View attachment 279167 View attachment 279168 View attachment 279169 Y’all remember that menu I shared few days ago....????

Pork chop
Salmon cakes
Pinto beans
Macaroni & maters
Collared greens
Fried taters
Blackberry cobbler
I’ve cream
Apple cobbler

Y’all remember????

Well I lucked out!!! Now to go get my other heavy on and roll towards the Keystone. Y’all stay safe
Oh and Sweet Tea!!
Click to expand...

Lucky man

Logan76 · May 3, 2019

Happy Friday everyone.

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